A Teignmouth boy has bought his primary school a lifesaving anti-choking device after successfully completing a sponsored bike ride.

Freddie Gilding, a Year 6 pupil at Our Lady and St Patrick’s Primary School, cycled 18 miles from Powderham to Exeter and back during the Easter Holidays as part of his civic award.

‘Part of the criteria for the civic award is to choose a charity to research and raise awareness,’ Freddie said. ‘I decided, with the help of my mum, to raise some money for the school to buy a LifeVac set.’

He smashed his fundraising target of £100 within 12 hours and raised a total of £170.

He has used £100 to buy a LifeVac set, a non-invasive airway clearance device that is designed to help save a child or adult who is choking. The remaining funds are being donated to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

Freddie’s enthusiasm for his bike ride also inspired his younger brother, four-year-old Billy, who also completed the 18-mile cycle ride.

The school, which has now received its LifeVac kit congratulated both boys and thanked everyone for their generous donations.

The Torbay and Devon Civic Awards were established in 2004 and are aimed at encouraging children to become well-rounded and caring individuals who strive to make a difference in their communities and who are prepared to take responsibility for change.

To achieve the Civic Award, pupils have to fulfil six criteria: active citizenship in their school community; active citizenship in their home community; a physical and non-physical hobby, one of which should be new to the child from the start of Year 6; a residential experience and adventure training; a pledge to the planet; and an assessment where the child presents evidence of their achievements to an external assessor.